Nonprofits
A YEAR OF GROWTH FOR THE WHITE BEAR CENTER FOR THE ARTS
At the White Bear Center for the Arts( WBCA), 2025 was a year of growth. The nonprofit arts organization added several new classes, including basket weaving, yoga in the gallery, Tenango embroidery and handbags in clay.
In addition, the center’ s writing community grew in a big way, with writers of all ages and experience levels showing up through classes and open-mic nights. There were also some significant updates made that support the goal of making the arts accessible to all.
“ We focused on gallery accessibility by implementing Capption labels, a phone-friendly way for visitors to learn more about the artist and artwork as they move through the gallery. Plus, our Summer Arts Market and Winter Community Day supported local artists and brought new visitors to White Bear Center for the Arts,” said Chris Scholl, Executive Director.
WBCA also supported several exhibitions in 2025.“ The Culture of Pots” exhibition featured potters from the St. Croix Pottery Tour community. The“ Into Nature” plein air exhibition continued to be a community favorite and a meaningful celebration of the local landscape. Plein air is the practice of painting outdoors.
Looking ahead to 2026, a pilot youth programming partnership with Tamarack Nature Center is planned. So is a travel opportunity in September: the Venice Art Adventure with teaching artist Erica Rasmussen.
White Bear Center for the Arts 4971 Long Avenue White Bear Lake, MN 55110 651-407-0597
An Action-Packed Year Ahead for Lakeshore Players
The vision of Lakeshore Players Theatre is to be a cultural hub where people find their place onstage, backstage and in all stages of life. Lakeshore Players Theatre remains committed to creating memorable and unique arts experiences for the northeast metro community and beyond.
Last year, Lakeshore Players held 90 performances for nearly 16,000 attendees, and engaged the talents of 378 artists and over 150 volunteers. Through education programs, student matinees and community partnerships, Lakeshore Players Theatre also served
over 1,100 area students in 2024 and 2025.
Now entering its 74th season, Lakeshore Players is the second oldest community theatre in the state. The theatre engages with a hybrid model wherein volunteer actors ranging from beginners to seasoned performers are supported by a professional creative team and design staff.
During the next season, which runs from August 2026 through June 2027, Lakeshore Players will produce two largecast musicals and four plays, including its first Shakespeare show in ten seasons. Productions will take place on the OSilas Mainstage and the Royal Credit Union Foundation Black Box Theatre of the beautiful Hanifl Performing Arts Center along Highway 61 in White Bear Lake.
40 Northeast Metro Business